​Fairfax Pines English Labradors Health Guarantee & Purchase Contract

Deposit and Contract Acknowledgment

​By placing a deposit on a Fairfax Pines English Labradors puppy, the Buyer acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to the terms of this Health Guarantee & Purchase Contract.

Questions regarding these terms should be directed to Fairfax Pines before submitting a deposit.
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Fairfax Pines English Labradors reserves the right to refuse the sale or placement of a puppy to any person or family whom we do not believe will be an appropriate match. This right applies even after a deposit has been submitted. If Fairfax Pines chooses not to complete the placement, the deposit will be returned.

Our PuppiesEvery Fairfax Pines puppy comes from a carefully planned breeding. We evaluate our puppies with the goal of producing healthy, well-tempered Labradors that will become cherished family companions.

However, no breeder can guarantee how a puppy will mature in appearance, structure, temperament, size, working ability, fertility, or suitability for showing, breeding, service work, therapy work, or performance activities.

Puppies develop through a combination of genetics, nutrition, training, veterinary care, environment, exercise, injury, and individual growth. A puppy selected as a promising show, breeding, service, or therapy prospect may later develop a characteristic that prevents the puppy from fulfilling that particular purpose.

This does not diminish the puppy’s ability to live a happy and fulfilling life as a beloved companion.

Limited Genetic-Disease GuaranteeBased upon the known genetics and health testing within the puppy’s lineage, Fairfax Pines English Labradors guarantees that the puppy will not be genetically affected by the following conditions during the puppy’s lifetime:

• Centronuclear Myopathy;
• Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, Labrador Retriever Type;
• Exercise-Induced Collapse;
• Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis, Labrador Retriever Type;
• Macular Corneal Dystrophy, Labrador Retriever Type;
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy/Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration; and
• Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1.

This is a limited guarantee covering only the genetic conditions specifically listed above.
No other illness, disease, physical characteristic, structural condition, or health concern is guaranteed unless expressly stated in a separate written agreement signed by Fairfax Pines English Labradors.

Initial Veterinary ExaminationThe Buyer agrees to have the puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian of the Buyer’s choosing within 72 hours of taking possession.
This examination is intended to evaluate the puppy’s general health following placement. All expenses associated with the examination are the responsibility of the Buyer.

Orthopedic DevelopmentFairfax Pines carefully selects and health-tests breeding dogs. However, orthopedic development is multifactorial and cannot be predicted or controlled solely through parental testing or selective breeding.
The condition and development of a dog’s hips, elbows, joints, bones, ligaments, and movement may be influenced by:

• Genetics;
• Growth rate;
• Nutrition and supplementation;
• Weight and body condition;
• Exercise and repetitive activity;
• Jumping or impact;
• Slipping, falling, accidents, or injuries;
• Flooring and living environment;
• Timing of spaying or neutering; and
• Other factors outside the Breeder’s control.

Once the puppy leaves Fairfax Pines, we cannot control the puppy’s diet, weight, activities, environment, injuries, veterinary treatment, or overall management.
For these reasons, Fairfax Pines English Labradors does not provide a contractual warranty, refund, replacement, reimbursement, or payment for orthopedic conditions, including but not limited to:

• Hip or elbow dysplasia;
• Degenerative joint disease;
• Arthritis;
• Osteochondritis dissecans;
• Panosteitis;
• Cruciate ligament injuries;
• Patellar conditions;
• Growth-plate injuries;
• Joint laxity;
• Angular limb deformities; or
• Other conditions involving the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, gait, or movement.

An OFA, PennHIP, veterinary, or radiographic finding does not create a right to a replacement puppy, refund, reimbursement, or payment of veterinary expenses under this Contract.
Nothing in this Contract is intended to limit any legal right that cannot lawfully be waived.

Buyer ResponsibilitiesThe Buyer accepts responsibility for the puppy’s nutrition, weight, exercise, veterinary care, environment, training, and physical development.
The Buyer agrees to make reasonable efforts to:

• Maintain the dog at a healthy weight;
• Avoid overfeeding and excessive supplementation;
• Provide balanced, age-appropriate nutrition;
• Avoid forced or repetitive exercise during growth;
• Avoid repetitive jogging or running on hard surfaces before physical maturity;
• Minimize repeated jumping from vehicles, furniture, porches, or other elevated surfaces;
• Provide safe footing whenever reasonably possible; and
• Seek veterinary care following an injury, lameness, abnormal gait, or other concern.

These recommendations encourage responsible puppy management but do not guarantee that an orthopedic condition will not develop.

Spaying and NeuteringFairfax Pines supports responsible spaying and neutering but strongly discourages altering a puppy before physical maturity because of the possible effect on growth and orthopedic development.
All guarantees contained in this Contract will become null and void if:

• A male is neutered before 18 months of age; or
• A female is spayed before 18 months of age.

An exception may be considered when the procedure is medically necessary and supported by written documentation from a licensed veterinarian.

Conditions Not CoveredThe limited genetic guarantee does not cover:

• Orthopedic conditions;
• Cancer;
• Allergies or autoimmune disorders;
• Entropion or ectropion;
• Inverted vulva;
• Undescended testicles;
• Hernias;
• Abnormal dentition or bite changes;
• Cosmetic imperfections;
• Injuries, accidents, trauma, poisoning, parasites, or infectious diseases;
• Conditions influenced by diet, weight, exercise, environment, veterinary treatment, or management;
• Fertility or reproductive ability;
• The ability to pass future breeding clearances;
• Size, weight, coat, color, pigmentation, or appearance; or
• Suitability or success in showing, breeding, hunting, service work, therapy work, or performance activities.

Many of these conditions are not life-altering and may resolve with maturity or be managed through routine veterinary care.
All veterinary bills and related expenses are the responsibility of the Buyer.

Making a Genetic-Disease ClaimA claim may be considered only when the dog is medically confirmed to be genetically affected by one of the diseases specifically listed in this Contract.
The diagnosis must be supported by appropriate documentation from a licensed veterinarian, veterinary specialist, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, or a recognized veterinary genetic-testing laboratory, as applicable.
Fairfax Pines may request additional medical records or an independent professional review before approving a claim.
The guarantee applies only to the original Buyer and is not transferable.
The dog must not have:

• Been sold or transferred without written approval;
• Been bred or used at stud;
• Sired or whelped a litter; or
• Been altered before the required age.

Remedy for an Approved ClaimFor a legitimate and properly documented claim involving one of the genetic diseases specifically guaranteed in this Contract, Fairfax Pines English Labradors will provide one of the following:

1. A replacement puppy when an appropriate puppy becomes available; or
2. A refund of the original purchase price of the affected dog.

Fairfax Pines will determine the appropriate remedy after reviewing the documentation and circumstances of the claim.
The Breeder’s maximum financial responsibility is limited to the puppy’s original purchase price.
Fairfax Pines is not responsible for veterinary bills, testing, medications, surgery, rehabilitation, transportation, boarding, training, loss of income, emotional distress, or other incidental expenses.

AKC RegistrationUnless otherwise stated in a separate written agreement, Fairfax Pines puppies are sold with AKC Limited Registration and are not sold for breeding purposes.
AKC Limited Registration means:

• The dog is individually registered with the American Kennel Club;
• Litters produced by the dog are not eligible for AKC registration;
• The dog may not compete in AKC conformation breed competition; and
• The dog may participate in other eligible AKC events and activities.

The Buyer agrees not to breed the dog or allow an accidental breeding.
Fairfax Pines may, at its sole discretion, approve a change to AKC Full Registration at a later date. Such approval may require completed health clearances, additional fees, AKC documentation, and a separate written agreement.
The Buyer has no automatic right to Full Registration.
Full Registration may occasionally be offered to approved show homes, service-dog programs, or breeders on a case-by-case basis. An additional purchase price and separate contract may apply.
Full Registration does not guarantee that the dog will succeed in showing, breeding, service work, therapy work, or any other specialized purpose.

Training and CareThe Buyer agrees to provide the puppy with appropriate veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, training, socialization, supervision, and a safe living environment.
The Buyer also agrees to enroll the puppy in an age-appropriate puppy or basic obedience class as soon as reasonably possible.
If health, training, behavioral, or adjustment concerns arise, the Buyer is encouraged to contact Fairfax Pines promptly. We are committed to supporting our families and the puppies we produce.

Lifetime Return-to-Breeder RequirementIf, at any time during the dog’s lifetime, the Buyer is unable or unwilling to keep the dog, the Buyer must immediately contact:
Tammy Boudreau
Fairfax Pines English Labradors
The dog must be returned to Fairfax Pines or placed according to arrangements approved by Fairfax Pines in writing.
Under no circumstances may the Buyer:

• Surrender the dog to a shelter;
• Release the dog to a rescue organization;
• Abandon the dog;
• Sell or give the dog away;
• Rehome the dog through social media or an online listing; or
• Transfer ownership without prior written approval from Fairfax Pines.

Every Labrador bred by Fairfax Pines will always have a home with us.
Returning a dog does not automatically entitle the Buyer to a refund or reimbursement.

Our Lifelong CommitmentA Fairfax Pines Labrador becomes an important part of the family it joins. We want both the dog and the family to be happy and successful.
If circumstances change or the dog is no longer compatible with the Buyer’s household or lifestyle, the Buyer agrees to contact Fairfax Pines immediately. We may be able to assist with training or adjustment concerns or arrange for the dog to return to us.
Our responsibility to the puppies we produce does not end when they leave our home.
We care deeply about the lifelong future of every Fairfax Pines puppy.By submitting a deposit and accepting possession of a puppy the Buyer confirms that they have read, understand, and agree to the terms of this Health Guarantee & Purchase Contract.